2 Timothy 4:1-8 Finishing well

Finishing Well

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Endings often generate mixed emotions.

The good experiences mix with the bad. 2020 has been like that. It has been full of trials. Sometimes chaos and uncertainty. Even fear and sadness. We have seen some tragedies and yet we have also seen some miracles.

And here we are. We have survived. In perhaps new ways we have trusted in our Lord. The Lord has been at work. He has demonstrated Himself to be faithful. He always is. He always does.

When I think of endings, Completing the task. Accomplishing the goal. Doing all that I could do. I think of finishing well.

Perhaps I get that a bit from my dad. He worked hard. He gave His all to any task. There was no quit in him. He was not one who quit when it was hard. He played through the ninth inning / the fourth quarter / the final buzzer in life.

But I also think that the thought is Biblical. We are called to faithfulness. We are called to lives dedicated to Him and His service. We are called to persevere. Most here have done that. You have spent much of your lives in faithfulness to Him. What a horror it would be to quit now. To sit down as near the finish line.

Just so, Paul encouraged Timothy. He stands ready to die. Weeks/Months was all he had left. So he writes 2 Timothy full of exhortation and encouragement. And as he comes to the close of his letter, he gives final words. Words about finishing well.

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

As close out 2020, let us hear his words. Let us taking note. Let us continue on that we might finish the race the Lord has set before us. May we finish well.

I. Finishing well: An overall model

A. Lived life a sacrifice to God 2 Tim 4:6

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

1. Sacrifice – perfect tense – have been and continue to be - life

Reminded of David and the water his men obtained for him. A symbol of great devotion / risk/ sacrifice ---- and he pours it out to God as an offering

Or the woman who brought a flask of expensive oil – broke it and poured it out all over Jesus in the days before His death. No one appreciated it – in fact some scolded her – But Jesus viewed it as an offering of honor

2. To death – like a ship departing the shore

3. Urgency – last call

B. Vigorously pursued God’s path

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1. His life was ministry perfect tense – had and continue

2. Fight (the boxer lasted the fight Rocky 1 – a fight worth fighting / race (completed the Marathon 26.2 – traversed the course as it was laid out for him ---- it either case it was finishing that mattered / full and complete

3. Requiring effort – taking one to the limits

4. Painful - hurts

5. Endurance - discipline

6. Able to be finished successfully

a) Faithful to proclaim the Word

b) Faithful to fulfill his ministry

c) Faithful to His Lord

C. Received God’s Reward

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1. Lord faithful to appropriately judge – give to those who were faithful, not give to those who aren’t

2. Crown? Like those in Rev 4 that are laid at the Lord’s throne in honor of Him --- something to give or a metaphor for receiving the ‘well done faithful servant’ --- victor’s crown as in the Olympic games when crowned with a laurel of leaves

3. Beginning now the reward will endure

4. For all who set their hearts on living in anticipation for His coming – persevere / living holy / urgently tell others

II. Finishing well: A focused life

A. With a sense of urgency 2 Tim 4:1

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

1. The Lord’s presence

a) Solemn oath

b) Presence of the living God

2. The Lord’s imminent judgment

a) Three thoughts

b) About to judge

c) Eternal judgment

d) Sort through the wood, gold, hay stubble

3. The Lord’s anticipated return

a) Anticipated coming – not the now but the soon

4. The Lords coming reign

a) Establish forever

b) Established anew and different than now

B. Making Known God’s Word 2 Timothy 4 2

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1. Proclaim the Word

a) Speak the word – communicate the Word openly

2. Patiently keep at it

a) Persistent teaching

b) Patient teaching – consistent in the face of difficulty / implies patient with with people – love/truth

3. Persist in every situation

a) Urgently

b) Persistently

c) Being prepared

d) Times it is convenient or not

(1) For you – easy / hard

(2) For others – ready to hear or not

4. Correct those in error

a) Show that they have done wrong

5. Confront the rejectors

a) Strong expression of disapproval

6. Encourage the weak

a) Appeal earnestly, urge

b) Encourage and console

C. In spite of opposition 2 Tim 4:3

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

1. Many No longer embrace the truth

a) The full doctrine of Christ will be too hard

b) Embrace only what they like

2. Many Seek teachers saying what they want to hear

a) Tickling ears

b) Look for those who will teach according to their own liking

c) Heap up more and more

d) Seek those who teach what they want to hear

3. Many abandon the truth

a) Choose to reject the truth

b) For stories and false truth or just distractions from the focus of the truth

D. Living ministry intentionally 2 Tim 4:5

(ESV) 2 Timothy 4 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1. Don’t follow them

a) But You - emphasis

2. Be under control

a) Sober – from alcohol

b) Actions and speech under control

c) Be steady – under control always

d) When the emotions rise / stay under control

e) Steady / godly / wise

3. Persevere in trouble

a) Endure the hardships that these commands bring

b) Be courageous under fire

4. Be evangelistic

a) Proclaim the good news to the unbelievers

b) Apparently not his gift/office

5. Give yourself completely to God’s ministry

a) Each has ministry given by God (in the church) – find and do your part in the church

b) Service – whatever God has given you – don’t quit

Years ago in a hard spot in ministry – preacher stood up and said – Don’t quit

c) Do service completely, thoroughly – not just getting by – immerse oneself2 Timothy 4:1-8